“Meanwhile the Labour Party has changed out of all recognition. Since 2019, it has moved on from Jeremy Corbyn and now, under Keir Starmer, occupies the center ground of British politics.” “[Labour] has accepted Brexit and its economic policies and defense policies are responsible and can be trusted,” Elphicke, who voted for Brexit and backed … Read more
Defense Secretary Grant Shapps will update the House of Commons Tuesday afternoon. Although he is not expected to directly name Beijing in his statement, Sky News, which first broke the story, reported that China is in the frame. Officials told POLITICO’s London Playbook newsletter their work had not cleared the high bar for public attribution. … Read more
The Tees Valley mayor is a strong ally of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who recorded a video endorsement. His victory back in 2017 and re-election in 2021 was seen as emblematic of the Tories’ ability to win seats in former Labour strongholds dubbed the “Red Wall.” Speaking Friday, Houchen said he was “absolutely humbled” … Read more
Announcing his support on X, Mark Hamill said: “I LOVE London! Lived there for years while filming & our first child was born there, in St. John’s Wood. I wholeheartedly support Sadiq Khan for Mayor on May 2.” Hamill praised Khan — who has drawn local flak and heated protests for a controversial charge on … Read more
Hitting back: “I know that economics is not his strong point,” Sunak shot back. He had some figures from the well-respected Institute for Fiscal Studies up his sleeve, arguing that “the link between national insurance and public services funding is illusory.” Once more with feeling: Starmer had a second go, arguing that “the value of … Read more
Charles — who only ascended to the throne after the death of his mother in 2022 — first sought treatment for an enlarged prostate in January, with Buckingham Palace announcing the following month that cancer had been detected. In the first substantive update on his health since then, Buckingham Palace said Friday that Charles’ treatment … Read more
Blue fury In the event, 59 Tory MPs voted against the measure at its second reading Tuesday night. Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch — seen as a key contender to become the next leader should the Tories lose the election — was among those in Sunak’s own ministerial ranks voting against the bill, citing what she … Read more
“Instead of making accusations against Iran, (Western) countries should blame themselves and answer to public opinion for the measures they have taken against the … war crimes committed by Israel” in its campaign against Hamas in Gaza, said Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani. According to the Times of Israel, Netanyahu’s war cabinet is yet … Read more
“This is consistent with the advice that I and other ministers have received, and as ever we will keep the position under review,” Cameron said. Continuing to allow arms exports puts the U.K. in line with other “like-minded countries.” Cameron — who was in the U.S. as part of efforts to lobby senior Republicans including … Read more
But, in a further development Tuesday night, a spokesperson for the Conservative whips’ office said: “Following Will Wragg’s decision to step back from his roles on the Public Accounts and 1922 committees, he has also notified the Chief Whip that he is voluntarily relinquishing the Conservative Whip.” Wragg admitted last week he was targeted by … Read more
